"Poorest of the poor" start getting subsidy

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development 7 has started distributing cash subsidy to the 3,000 beneficiaries of the “Pantawid sa Pamilyang Pilipino Program” in the 10 poorest barangays in Cebu City.

Initial distribution was made last Saturday at the social hall of the city’s Legislative Building wherein more than 1000 beneficiaries received a cash subsidy of at least P1000 and up to P2,800 for January and February of this year.

Asela Bella Tse, DSWD-7 Regional Focal Person for 4Ps, said the distribution will be done for three Saturdays. The venues of the subsequent distributions are yet to be announced.

On May 23, DSWD will give cash subsidies to 800 beneficiaries from barangay Mambaling, which hosts the biggest population of poor residents, mostly Badjaos. 

The 10 barangays covered by the program are Tejero, T. Padilla, Sawang Calero, Duljo Fatima, Inayawan, Mambaling, Kalunasan, Sudlon I, Sudlon II and Tagba-o.

The next distribution for the month of February, March and April will be on June or July.

During distribution, beneficiaries are given an Order of Payment slip that they need to present to claim the subsidy. The so-called Cash Cards, which shall be the recipients’ official card, are expected to be available by August.

Tse said the Order of Payment is distributed on the day of the distribution to ensure that the rightful beneficiaries are the ones claiming the subsidy.

She said once the Cash Cards are available, all transactions will be done at the Land Bank of the Philippines.

While many have complained of exclusion from the program, Tse explained not everyone below the poverty line can be accommodated, exactly why those that are being prioritized are the “poorest of the poor.”

Tse said there are several reasons why those that complained have not availed of the program, foremost of which is eligibility.

“For one, they may not be in their houses when field enumerators conducted the Household Assessment. Or, they may be not found eligible to be part of the program. We have various requirements like a beneficiary must be poor, with children 14 years and below who are attending school…” Tse said.

She stressed that the beneficiary must have children that are attending school, otherwise they would not be eligible to the program.

The program aims to assist and give recognition to poor parents who, despite their difficult situation, still strive to send their children to school. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/JMO (THE FREEMAN)